The Pelicans are entering a critical offseason, with former All-Star forward Brandon Ingram entering the final year of his contract, which will pay him $36MM in 2024/25.
According to Christian Clark of The Times-Picayune (subscription required), New Orleans tentatively plans to supplement the trio of Ingram, CJ McCollum and Zion Williamson with “better-fitting pieces.”
However, despite having an overall net rating of +4.6 during the regular season, the Pelicans were outscored when their three top scorers shared the court together, Clark writes, and there is a chance at least one of them could be traded.
As of July 1, Ingram will be eligible a four-year, maximum-salary extension projected to be worth $200MM+. While the Pelicans are “open” to the possibility of tacking more years onto his current deal, they are not willing to give him a full max contract, sources tell Clark.
Clark compares Ingram to Zach LaVine, noting that both players have put up strong individual statistics on offense but have missed extended time with injuries throughout their careers. Chicago tried — unsuccessfully — to move LaVine’s max deal during the season, and will reportedly try again this offseason.
According to Clark, if the Pelicans can’t work out an extension with Ingram, they “likely will trade him.” That aligns with previous reporting that Ingram is the “most likely” Pelican to be on the move this summer. Clark points to the Cavaliers and Hawks as teams that might be interested in the 26-year-old.
Clark wonders if New Orleans might be able to acquire Evan Mobley or Jarrett Allen from Cleveland for Ingram. I don’t see any world where the Cavs trade Mobley for Ingram, but Allen isn’t far-fetched. Still, Cleveland has its own upcoming financial squeeze, and adding Ingram would only further complicate that situation — Allen is owed far less money ($40MM) over the next two seasons.
The NBA draft lottery is today, but the Pelicans won’t be impacted by that drawing. They do, however, have until June 1 to decide whether they want to keep the No. 17 overall pick (via the Lakers) or instead acquire the Lakers’ unprotected 2025 first-round pick. As of now, Clark hears that New Orleans is inclined to defer the selection, though that isn’t set in stone.
If the Pels do keep the No. 17 pick, Clark says they would likely flip it in a trade. New Orleans also controls the No. 21 overall pick, and Clark is highly skeptical the team would actually keep two first-rounders on a roster that is trying to win right now.
Mobley for Ingram… What a joke
3 way trade proposal
Warriors get Ingram
Mavs get Wiggins
Pelicans get Kuminga, Kleber and Hardaway
Why make sense for Pelicans
Hardaway has an expiring contract
GS wouldn’t trade JK for BI straight up, let alone with Wiggins.
Ingram doesnt know how to play off ball, he would be a terrible fit for GSW
I honestly don’t think any of the 3 teams would do that deal haha
I better not hear anyone claim he is going to the warriors. There is no money for free agents in warriors cap money.
He isn’t a free agent so what are you even talking about?
Why would a team trade for a guy who wants a max that has no money to spend? I already seen a couple sites claiming the warriors are trading draft picks and players for him. Tired of all those rumors that claims every player is going to the warriors or lakers.
Half the time those sites don’t even believe their own rumors to begin with. Just trying to stir the pot for clicks. Ignore it.
I think the Warriors have trade options don’t they? Chris Paul 30 million can bring in a pretty nice player LOL perhaps a team that wants an expiring contract?
Lacob mentioned he wants to get under the tax burden. I doubt they do anything with CP3 expiring contract. Also why would any team want to pay CP3 that much money? Cutting payroll is the warriors best decision for the future. They will need money to sign free agents again.
there are some rumors that the 76ers might be talking about a serious run to acquire him
They don’t have anyone they can trade.
Maxey and Embiid are their only contracts.
They have no picks to attach. Sign and trade Tobias won’t work and his playoffs tanked his value. 76ers can only sign guys.
Looks like teams are already being smart about handing out max contracts with the new cap rules coming into affect. No point in them extending him when at this point this core has shown they can’t accomplish much more than a nice 20 or so game stretch in the regular season.
All those owners that wanted a hard serious cap will now regret it since their teams will be losing players because of cap space too.
Detroit could be a player. They have cap space, they could move a young player. Sixers are in on anyone.
He is NOT worth a max. Joel Embiid is injury prone, but he is an MVP level player. The difference between him and Ingram is that a healthy Ingram doesn’t carry a team. But a 4/120 deal? I think that’s realistic value for what he does.
But what is the difference between Ingram and Oubre? Like if you really look at them, Ingrams 3pt shooting is the only difference. Ingram has been allowed to be the lead player. Is he better than Oubre overall yes, is he 30-40m per year better tho?
I think the Sixers plan is to add a wing and I think for now their target is Paul George.
After that I think DeMare DeRozan is their second choice and then if they were to miss out on both and make a trade to acquire a wing I’d rather see them go for Andrew Wiggins than Brandon Ingram.
Obviously Ingram is the better player but I wouldn’t want to be giving him a max contract. Whereas Wiggins who played college basketball with Embiid would be relatively cheap to acquire via trade as GSW I don’t think values him that highly and offers similar style wing play. 3rd/4th choice scorer, decent/good defender, less injury prone than Ingram and could fit well between Maxey and Embiid
Not a big fan of Ingram, but he’s a far better creator than Oubre, both for himself and others.
Ingram averages 4 times as many assists as Oubre does.
Ingram is a nice player. Not a max player.
Worst thing imo a team can do. Is sign a max player who is NOT a max player. Have to be strong to see this. Trade him NOW.
Trade him to who? And for what? With his final year he might make a better trade deadline deal for a team looking to free up money for FA 2025….
Smart decision from the Pelicans to realise that Ingram is good but not a max player and he’s going to need an extension so you should try move off of him.
It’ll be interesting to see how this affects his value. I also hope David Griffin doesn’t take forever to make a deal cause the longer it drags the less of an upper hand you have in negotiating.
I can’t see Cleveland giving up Mobley or dealing out Allen who’s on a team friendly deal. I wonder if he will target a big name player or settle for better fitting role players.
The article also state Atlanta could be interested I wonder if you try go after either DeJounte Murray or Trae Young.
Ingram, Daniel’s and 3 firsts for Trae Young or Murray and Capela for Ingram, Nance and this years first.
Ingram is a gifted player, but he can’t stay on the court, and his game isn’t a great fit with Zion. As with most NOP players, it’s hard to know how the team sees him fitting in longer term. NOP, and its FO, are finally at an inflection point. Griffin can’t just keep treading water (collecting pieces, signing and re-signing them, and firing a coach) and then blame everything that goes wrong on youth and injuries. Let’s see some actual team building decisions. Decisions on Ingram and others, start with the team he envisions longer term core. That’s never been clear with him.
I don’t think he’s a max player. Got max dollars in hope B.I would turn into a closer type. He’s not that. Still a good player and could be valuable next to say a Trae Young. Atlanta have a monstrous trade exemption and pels will need a centre and a PG which is best position for Dejounte.
Ingram, Daniels 17th or 21st pick for Dejounte and Capella. Hawks draft Sarr no.1 and possibly Ware if available when said pick is on the clock. Could find Hunter a new home afterwards if they wish.
Good for the PELS realizing that Ingram is not it.
If they think they can compete for a top 4 spot in the West (they were in the mix at some points this season), better trade BI now.
How’s about a Jimmy Butler for BI + Daniels trade.
PELS can make a better top 4 push, HEAT move on from Jimmy, get younger.
Porter Jr for Ingram plz
Absolutely not. You need Porters outside shooting. With jokic and Gordon already in the starting lineup you would clog the mid-range with Ingram there too.
Ingram is so overrated. He needs the ball in hands to be effective, but if he’s your number one option your team probably sucks